Cycling Can Change your Life

There are countless mental and physical health benefits of adding Cycling into your life

The idea of cycling has always fascinated my mind. Looking at cyclists on the road would send an urge of excitement through my spine, but a little voice inside of me would say “You can only wish for that”. But to my surprise, you don’t really need a pair of bike shorts or even look like a professional cyclist to ride your bike.

It all started in good spirits, I rode a rental bike for the first time in years, but I ended up head-butting myself into a gigantic pole under the bridge of a river. It was terrifying but the adrenaline was something I still miss to this day.

Riding a bike is one thing, but freely riding through the streets with a feeling of freedom, happiness, and pure joy is something I was manifesting for. I never gave up. The day finally came and we bought a Cycle on my birthday last year. ‘Riding it around’ would be all I could think about throughout the day.

The phrase “Practice makes you perfect” made total sense and I was fearlessly cycling within a few days.

It never stopped feeling good.

Like every diet, exercise, or gym routine, I had assumed this cycling craze to subside in a few days. But It truly never stopped feeling good.

The realization kept building onto me that I had no idea how beneficial this one specific form of exercise can be for one's life. It is more like a lifestyle rather than a form of commute or exercise. I started feeling mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally nourished.

If you are on a journey of benefiting yourself in any form, have a read at the endless benefits you can achieve from Cycling regularly. It is fun to ride and adds a lot of convenience to your life.

It makes you physically fit and strengthens your Body

Cycling provides you with a full-body workout. Quite obviously, your legs, glutes, quads, and hamstrings are used in paddling the bike, but the rest of the body plays a major role in balancing and directing it along the way.

The lower back and abs are strengthened in maintaining the balance; specifically when going uphill or when you're paddling while standing.

The upper body is actively engaging the shoulders while gripping the bike handles. Hence Bike-riding/Cycling can strengthen your core.

It makes you compassionate and connected to the people around you

Cycling can provide you with a clear head-space. Whilst Cycling you get to experience your surroundings in a different way. The same streets, parks, and people appear to be more intimate when you’re riding a bike instead of being in your car or even walking.

On the streets, It is either you give the way or the others. The kind interactions with the elderly and children have always been the highlight for me through this journey. Before this, I was living in my own bubble. It has given me the confidence to be more kind and open towards people. It is like a ripple effect. A simple ‘good morning’, a ‘nice smile’ or even a ‘kind gesture’ can make someone’s day. A healthy community is the necessity of the times we are living in.

A great way to Compose your ideas

When you start riding the bike, the first gush of air that passes through the face makes you feel refreshed and relaxed instantly, everything that has been juggling in your mind comes to rest. You can clear out your mind and plan out what you want to achieve throughout the rest of the day.

All the little hurdles seem temporary and you get to envision the bigger picture and align it with your goals.

— Morning ride: Gives a kick-start to your day — Afternoon ride: Helps you take a break and focus on the things that need your attention — Evening ride: After a whole day of work or commitments you feel pride in your achievements. Relax and release all that you have been holding onto and prepare for a nice evening to recharge for the next day.

Supports your Mental Well-Being

Cycling regularly has a great impact on our mental well-being. It is a form of exercise when adapted, can help improve the production of endorphins, which helps to ease stress and anxiety people face on a daily basis.

Regular cycling helps in the synchronization of the circadian rhythm which can improve your sleep cycle. Good sleep hygiene directly affects our mind and heart.

Cycling helps in pumping blood around the body at a greater rate, resulting in a rapid release of good substances like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. They play an important role in your ability to feel good and lead a happy, fulfilling life.

It’s good for your joints

Joint pain has no boundaries when it comes to the age or gender of the people. In this day and age, men & women of all ages are experiencing joint pain beyond their genetics, geographical location, or physical well-being. The idea of exercising can cause more pain due to inflammation in the joints.

Despite the common misconception that cycling will cause more stress on the joints, Cycling is one of the most beneficial exercises to adapt to as it is low impact and can be beneficial for the joints as it places less stress on the joints.

When there is a full range of motion in the joints, synovial fluid is produced. It acts as a lubricant for the joints and aids in the movement of the joints throughout the day.

You can do it at your own pace

Even if you’re a beginner at exercising as a whole, you can reap the same benefits from cycling at a beginner level. It is a good beginner exercise as you don’t need a trainer or a membership to start the process.

This is what I love about cycling, no matter what age or gender you are, you can experience the same joy and reap the same benefits by cycling at your own pace.

Good for the environment and convenient

These days we drive pretty much everywhere from schools, to work, to grocery stores, and even parks.

The fuel price is rising and the hassle of getting in the car to drive and the endless traffic pretty much adds to the stress in our daily lives. Collectively, so much fuel consumption is eventually playing a huge part in climate change. Switching from using your car daily to riding your cycle a few times is one of the most convenient ways to reduce your environmental footprint.

I initially anticipated using my cycle just for recreational purposes only. But once it became a part of my routine, it exceeded my expectations.

Incorporating Bike Rides We divide our task on every bike ride, we have been going to the grocery store to top up any groceries during the week, visiting friends living close-by, cycling is a good warm-up while going to the gym, riding ourselves to the park for some evening strolls. Just simply incorporate it in every little commute. We go to the library, a quick stop for coffee, and much more on our regular bike rides.

Ending

It had been an amazing journey of 7 short months but the benefits I have reaped from it have been tremendous. To create some context, even before cycling I was a relatively healthy person, eating healthy and going to the gym was the norm. I always thought doing these things are the key to mental and physical well-being. But to my surprise, I am on another level of mental clarity after spending these months riding my Cycle regularly.

There is no one way towards a healthy happy life. You have to test and try what suits you. Take my experience of cycling as an example to try out something that you have been longing for a long time. Maybe that’s the missing puzzle piece to improve your quality of life.